SHILLONG, OCT 24: Citizens of the hill state today resolved to launch the “opt-out campaign” of the Aadhaar enrolment to demand deletion of their details from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) data base.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Meghalaya People Committee on Aadhaar (MPCA) held at the Khasi National Durbar Hall, Mawkhar here in the city on Tuesday.
The Hall was jam-packed by people coming from the different villages of the state. The meeting was also attended by leaders and members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).
“As per the outcome of the meeting, we have decided to launch the opt-out campaign for those who were enrolled but wants to come out of the enrollment,” MPCA convener Rev PBM Basaiawmoit told reporters after the meeting.
He informed that the draft copy of the opt-out letter was also being circulated to the people for them to read and take decision on the matter.
Stating that the campaign is a movement of the people to protect their rights, Rev K Pyrtuh, a member of the Thma U Rangli Juki said that today’s meeting reflects the mood of the people with regards to the aadhaar enrolment.
Referring to the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act 2016, he said that although the Act is not clear whether people can opt out but the committee will find out ways and means.
Rev Pyrtuh informed people who wanted to opt-out of aadhaar enrolment can submit the letter at the office of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) from 11 am to 3 pm on October 30.
“The letters submitted will be accordingly forwarded to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and all authorities concerned including the state government,” he said.
He further stated that the meeting was also of the view that the Act should be roll back or review/revisit to ensure that people are not push to enroll for aadhaar number as Supreme Court’s interim order had maintained that it should be voluntary not mandatory.
It may be mentioned here that as of July, of a targeted population of 32,30,132, around 3,15,112 were enrolled under the scheme. The enrolment figure, however has gone up to 4,63,056 or 14.3 per cent as on October 15.
As per the draft opt-out letter, it states – “I did not consent to have my data shared with any service provider or any other third party. If it is so recorded in the UIDAI data base, I make it clear that by this letter I withdraw any consent that you may have recorded on your data base.”
“I am aware too that the coercion has been in deliberate contempt of the orders of the Supreme Court of India,” the letter added.
On the other hand, Basaiawmoit informed the meeting has also resolved to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court on Aadhaar enrolment next month.
“We are hoping to have another prayer of thanks giving because the legislature and the executive have failed us but it is only the judiciary which is the third pillar of democracy that is still protecting our rights,” he added.
By Our Reporter
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